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Y&E hosts annual Black Business Showcase
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — To cap off the first week of black history month, the Black Business Showcase took place in Evansville today. The showcase was hosted by the non-profit organization Young and...
Young & Established hosts 3rd annual Black Business Showcase
Local Black-owned businesses were highlighted at the the 3rd annual Black Business Showcase.
Sunday Preview – Huron Blackheart sets sail from the Maelstrom
What’s coming up next week?
Savannah Black Heritage Festival brings health and well-being
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — The Savannah Black Heritage Festival brought health and well-being to the city on Saturday. The 100 Black Men of Savannah and the Savannah Black Heritage Festival teamed up t…
Congressional Black Caucus chair says Trump's post on the Obamas shows a 'bigoted and racist regime'
The chair of the Congressional Black Caucus says the Trump administration has a chance to change after President Donald Trump posted a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as primates in the jungle
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - Virginia Department of Health
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed on February 7 each year. It exists to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Black and African American communities. It was first observed in 1999 and highlights the importance of decreasing stigma and increasing community involvement. Improving access to HIV education, prevention, testing, and HIV care are focuses of NBHAAD, as well. Virginia data As is the case […]
HIV in the Black Community: Shifting from Stigma and Health Inequalities to Communication and Care Initiatives
Blackpool business owners 'heartbroken' after huge fire
An indoor play area said the venue had been "destroyed" as crews from 15 fire engines tackled blaze.
Democratic governors disinvited from traditionally bipartisan White House gatherings
Every year, the nation’s governors convene in Washington, DC, for a friendly winter confab that includes a working meeting at the White House and a black-tie dinner hosted by the president.
Experts Warn: The Dangerous Blur Between Science and Wellness in Mental Health Bestsellers
A marketplace where labels blur In many bookstores, titles rooted in clinical science sit inches from glossy self-help guides promising instant serenity. That proximity can make rigorous research look interchangeable with lifestyle advice, especially when everything shares the same bright displays. Readers encounter a single aisle labeled “psychology,” even when the content ranges from peer-reviewed evidence to spiritual rituals. The result is a subtle but pervasive blur, turning a complex health landscape into a grab-bag of mixed claims. Why the shelves can mislead Retail categories are built for convenience, not for methodological clarity or clinical accuracy. When “development personal” or “wellness” becomes the default bin, evidence-based psychology competes with coaching manifestos and mystical manuals. The visual language of covers—calming color palettes, confident subtitles, glowing endorsements—flattens the distinction between randomized trials and anecdotal wisdom. In that aesthetic harmony, a guide on cognitive behavioral therapy may appear no more “serious” than a book on moon manifestation. The stakes for readers and patients Confusion carries real risks, including delayed care when people self-treat serious symptoms with untested routines. Vulnerable readers—facing depression, trauma, or anxiety—may be swayed by charismatic voices over careful data. Some messages frame recovery as pure willpower, which can amplify shame when symptoms persist despite effort. Others overpromise universal solutions, ignoring cultural context, diagnostic nuance, and comorbidity. “Shelving is not neutral; it shapes beliefs, expectations, and choices.” What professionals and retailers are asking Clinicians and public-health experts argue for clear, readable signage that separates science-based mental health from broader wellness. Books by licensed psychiatrists or psychologists that cite peer-reviewed studies could be grouped under “Evidence-Based Mental Health.” Adjacent space might host reflective memoirs, coaching workbooks, or contemplative philosophy—valuable in their way, but clearly labeled as non-clinical guidance. Booksellers emphasize their dual role as cultural curators and commercial actors, noting they respond to demand while striving for quality standards. How clarity could look and feel The goal is not to police ideas, but to help readers navigate with confidence. Transparent categorization respects reader autonomy while lifting the signal of credible practice. Clear tags—such as “scientific references,” “clinical overview,” or “personal narrative”—can work like map legends, turning a maze into a route. And when a book blends modes, hybrid labels can acknowledge both insight and limitation. A practical checklist for choosing wisely Check the author’s credentials: clinical license, academic affiliation, or relevant training. Scan the references: citations to peer-reviewed journals or reputable guidelines. Look for scope limits: clear statements about who the book is and isn’t for, and when to seek care. Seek methods, not miracles: approaches tested across diverse groups, with measurable outcomes. Watch the language: be wary of absolute claims, stigmatizing tones, or one-size-fits-all promises. Cross-verify with trusted bodies: national psychology associations or public-health agencies. The publisher’s responsibility Publishers can raise the bar by standardizing disclosure on methods, sample sizes, and limitations. Editorial policies could require conflict-of-interest statements, transparent citations, and plain-language summaries of evidence. Marketing should avoid medicalized framing for books that lack clinical validation, even when sales incentives press for bold claims. When a manuscript mixes reflection with research, honest jacket copy can prevent false equivalence. Coexisting without confusion Wellness writing can offer genuine comfort, perspective, and daily habits that support well-being. Scientific texts can provide structured tools, validated therapies, and realistic expectations for progress. The aim is to let these strands coexist, while giving readers the navigational cues to tell them apart. With clearer shelves, informed labels, and modest design tweaks, we can protect reader trust—and keep the aisle both inviting and intelligent.
Sphere Entertainment Co. to Host Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2025 Conference Call
Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) will host a conference call to discuss results for its fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2025 on Thursday...
Aurora James And Fifteen Percent Pledge Return To Honor Black Business Owners At 2026 Gala And Block Party
James and her organization are continuing to support and advance equity for Black-owned businesses by hosting their annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala as part of the 15th Street Block Party Weekend at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on February 7- 8.
UK could ‘lose generation of scientists’ with cuts to projects and research facilities
UK’s research funding body warned best scientists taking posts oversees due to lack of job stability at home
China Consumer Loyalty Business Report 2026: A $35.65 Billion Market by 2030 from $18.46 Billion in 2025 - 88VIP, JD.com, Meituan Black Card, and WeChat Infrastructure Anchor Platform-Led Models
The Chinese loyalty market presents prime opportunities in embedded, platform-driven loyalty models and membership-based systems across various sectors. Integration into super-app ecosystems, leveraging data-driven personalization within regulatory constraints, and blending offline-to-online experiences are key growth avenues. Chinese Loyalty Market Chinese Loyalty Market Dublin, Feb. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China Loyalty Market Size & Forecast by Spend Value Across 100+ KPIs by Progra
Atlanta museum honors the life of a trailblazing Black hair care business leader
Lawsuit challenges DeSantis' authority to call special session for redistricting
A lawsuit claims Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lacks the authority to call a special session to redraw congressional maps mid-decade
California Black Business Brunch will be in Sacramento, Luke Wood named keynote speaker
The California Black Chamber of Commerce and the California Legislative Black Caucus are having a celebratory brunch event in Sacramento.
Local Facebook group supports Black business owners
A Facebook group created during the 2020 protests has grown to nearly 8,000 members and earned recognition for supporting Black-owned businesses in the 607 area code.
Cristiano Ronaldo threatens Saudi exit, feels 'betrayed' over transfers
His former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema moved from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, but a lack of moves by his own club, Al-Nassr, has the superstar questioning his future
Black hole outburst 'Jetty McJetface' is one of the most energetic objects in the universe — and only growing brighter
Scientists say a jet from a previously studied supermassive black hole has grown brighter, becoming one of the most energetic events in the universe.
The elusive Czech at the centre of European business
Daniel Kretinsky still believes in the old continent—but fears its lack of pragmatism
Honoring Black Leaders This Black History Month
As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, join us at Fenway Health in honoring and amplifying the words of Black leaders who inspire us, exemplify our
Entertainment briefs | Black Humboldt hosts karaoke party
Black Humboldt is hosting a karaoke party tonight (Thursday) at 9 p.m. at Richards’ Goat, 401 I St., Arcata. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Black Castle Capital Partners Wins Best Venture Capital & Private Equity Business of the Year 2026
LONDON, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- London-based consultancy Black Castle Capital Partners has been honoured with the Global 100 – 2026 award for Best Venture Capital & Private Equity Business of the Year in the United Kingdom, recognising its boutique expertise in guiding companies through successful and efficient fundraising processes. Black Castle Capital Partners specialises in tailored introduction services across Private Equity, Venture Capital and Real Estate. The firm’s lean and ni
Basketball box scores, other sports results for Wednesday, February 4, 2026; Thursday's schedule
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS Boys Basketball CITY LEAGUE Brashear 40, Westinghouse 32 Brashear 7 12 10 11 — 40 Westinghouse 8 7 9 8 — 32 High...
NFL athletes help students celebrate new sports field in East Palo Alto
NFL player Mekhi Blackmon of the Colts and brothers Rejzohn and Nahshon Wright of the Saints and Bears, all played on the field as kids and were at the celebration. "This is where I learned to be a teammate," Bears CB and East Palo Alto native Nahshon Wright said. "This is how I learned to be selfless."
Small Business Focus: The State of Black Entrepreneurial Enterprises
This article is written and sponsored by Arlington Economic Development. February is Black History Month, and this year the Small Business Coordinating Council will spotlight the State of Black Entrepreneurship with three dynamic speakers: Eric Alston and William Mitchell of WACIF, and Darin Cox, owner of The Peach Cobbler Factory in Washington, D.C. Over the
The Melanin Market’s grassroots beginnings turn a Historic Eastside street into an economic engine for Black businesses
One grassroots idea in Jacksonville’s Historic Eastside has grown into a movement that has uplifted Black-owned businesses, brought families together, and turned A. Philip Randolph Boulevard into an economic engine.
Yankees 2026 Season Preview: Paul Blackburn
After joining New York late last year, the veteran should get the chance to fill an early role
National Girls & Women in Sports Day® Marks Nearly Four Decades of Progress and the Urgent Work Still Ahead
/PRNewswire/ -- National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is more than a celebration, it is a nationwide movement rooted in equal opportunity, shaped by...
SBA Shuts Doors On Small Business Loans To Green Card Holders In Latest Anti-Immigration Move
The policy, which goes into effect March 1, requires 100% of direct and indirect owners of loan applicants to be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals residing stateside or within U.S. territories.
How Israel destroyed Gaza’s health system ‘deliberately and methodically’
Despite 'ceasefire', the health sector in Gaza continues to suffer from shortages, destruction and lack of equipment.
From foster care to skincare, Victorville mother finds path to healing with her business
A local businesswoman is sharing her story of how she transformed her life and became the founder of a growing Black-owned skincare brand born out of a need to treat her son's severe eczema.
Racial Debate Rattles Texas Democratic Primary for Senate
State Representative James Talarico used the word “mediocre” to describe a former House member who is Black. The controversy has repercussions for a key contest.
Bill affirming St. Johns as Black History Museum site, creating Board, sent to Senate floor
Several public speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community voices, not politics, guide the museum’s narrative.
I created a Black-owned business directory — ICE forced me to remove it
Rose Barboza explains why ICE activity in Maine forced her to take down a directory of Black-owned businesses she spent years building.
Does Colorado have too high of a population?
I think I first fell in love with Colorado back in 1968, when we took a family vacation from Michigan out to Salt Lake City and back. My dad had been asked to speak at a genealogy event, and rather than him just flying to SLC and back, we loaded up the station wagon (one […]
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico’s campaign roiled as he denies referring to ex-rival as ‘mediocre Black man’
With now just a month to go until Election Day, the Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas has become so fraught that a TikToker’s accusations have roiled the race and prompted a major endorsement in the backlash.
A record breaking gravitational wave is helping test Einstein’s theory of general relativity
A newly detected gravitational wave, GW250114, is giving scientists their clearest look yet at a black hole collision—and a powerful way to test Einstein’s theory of gravity. Its clarity allowed scientists to measure multiple “tones” from the collision, all matching Einstein’s predictions. That confirmation is exciting—but so is the possibility that future signals won’t behave so neatly. Any deviation could point to new physics beyond our current understanding of gravity.
Here are all the businesses in this year’s Chicago Black Restaurant Week
There are nearly 40 restaurants participating in this year’s Chicago Black Restaurant Week, from fast casual and BBQ joints to steakhouses and fine dining establishments.
Upcoming 'Foldable iPhone' Design Leaked With iPad-Style Button Placement
Upcoming foldable iPhone design leaked, revealing new button placement, punch-hole camera, black camera bar, and Apple’s biggest battery yet.
Bronzeville YMCA built during Great Migration by 10K Black residents, businesses
First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the right, similar to the iPad mini.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra will only include black or white S Pens, leaked image shows
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is dropping its usual color-matching stylus for something a little more boardroom-friendly.
Minorities in Sports Business Network hosts A Toast to Black Sports luncheon at Super Bowl LX
SAN FRANCISCO – Former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes, NFLPA executive Carl Francis, and longtime corporate strategist Debra Langford will be honored for their community engagement at the fourth annual A Toast to Black Sports luncheon, a private gathering of Black sports leaders during the week before Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Sponsored by the […]
Iran’s economy falters as internet shutdown hits people, businesses hard
The state-imposed blackout has disconnected Iranians from the world and choked off businesses.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Advancing health equity through collaborative care
Collaborative care models offer a proven blueprint for improving outcomes among Black Americans with HIV.
'Not just an arcade': The Black-Barn opens in Gaylord
The Black-Barn offers activities like axe throwing, archery, laser tag, arcade games and much more.
US can’t isolate itself from the world of science
If things continue on the current trajectory, we will soon lack the ability to understand what the advances in science developed elsewhere mean and how we might exploit them.
Grammys 2026: Seattle rock star salutes Ozzy Osbourne with fiery performance
Guns n’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan participated in a literally fiery rendition of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” that moved Osbourne’s family to tears.
The 2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards
From rebuilding communities in the post–Jim Crow era to leading Fortune 500 companies and public institutions today, Black business leaders have played a central role in shaping Virginia’s modern economy. Today, they are driving growth, innovation and opportunity across the commonwealth — leading major corporations, expanding small businesses, strengthening public institutions and driving progress across […]
Frank Thomas rips White Sox after team left him off Black History Month post: 'Don't worry, I'm taking receipts!'
Trump tries humor, gets silence, at black-tie dinner with ‘people I hate’
In a frenetic presidency marked by jarring contrasts, he added another Saturday night: suiting up in black-tie regalia amid mass immigration protests and telling jokes about invading Greenland.
China's military has a serious leadership problem
The anti-corruption campaign has left open positions and a lack of senior officials with the experience to fill them.
Black women’s health-care experiences remain marked by structural racism — here’s how institutions should move forward
Research reveals that the enduring legacy of racism in medicine contributes to suboptimal communication and poor quality care for women.
Better Know Your Blue Jays 40-Man: Mason Fluharty
Sorry about the lack of content the last couple of days. It has been busy. It should ease off soon. Mason Fluharty is a 24-year-old left-handed pitcher. The Jays picked him in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. He was #40 on our 40-man prospect list in 2022. Matt said: Listed at 6’2” and […]
Hurricanes Thrashed in Controversial Overtime Loss to Capitals
Poor puck-management, bizarre calls (and lack of standard calls), and failure to maintain momentum paved the way to a 4-3 […]
Water line breaks disrupt small business in Weirton
A major water line break in downtown Weirton has left Blue Cat Coffee struggling with a lack of water pressure and discolored water.Owner Amber Cekus said, "We
Black Business Expo creates welcoming environment for businesses to grow
At the Columbia College expo, many buisness owners noted the uniquely welcoming setting and collaborative opportunities.
Researchers pinpoint source of black hole's 3,000-light-year-long jet stream using enhanced telescope network
A new study has connected the famous m87 black hole, the first ever imaged, to its powerful cosmic jet, revealing how it launches particles at near light speed.
Black Business Expo aims to connect, celebrate and inspire local entrepreneurs
The fifth Black Business Expo brought together 25 local businesses to connect and inspire future entrepreneurs
La. Art and Science Museum to celebrate Black History Month
The Louisiana Art and Science Museum will celebrate Black History Month with special events and a new exhibit.
Albino or Leucistic? The Science Behind America’s “White Raccoons”
Imagine that you’re taking an evening stroll in the woods. All of a sudden, you spot a flash of color and two glowing eyes. The furry animal looks like a raccoon, but its all-white fur says otherwise. There’s no black fur and the bandit mask is missing entirely; only snow-white hair. What you’ve just observed
TV tonight: Phil Collins reveals his health issues and 24-hour live-in nurse
A candid chat between the ‘hardest working man’ in rock and Zoe Ball. Plus, how will it end for DS Lucey in Blackshore? Here’s what to watch this evening
Which Columbus businesses are against ICE enforcement actions?
Few closed down as part of the call for a nationwide strike, but a number of local restaurants and businesses are taking other actions to speak out.
Denver businesses close Friday in support of anti-ICE nationwide shutdown
Sanford Black Hills region plans addition of 16 physicians
Local providers joining Sanford specialize in gastroenterology, dermatology, optometry, ophthalmology, family medicine and general surgery.
Black History Month at Hofstra Showcases Art, Politics, Culture, and Business
Black History Month, and every month, is an opportunity to educate, listen, and lift one another. Hofstra University offers a comprehensive selection of events, covering the arts, politics, history, and culture. Our Unfinished Revolution(s)Hofstra University Museum of ArtOpening reception, Th
Local businesses join nationwide strike against immigration crackdown policies
Multiple businesses nationwide announced they would be closed during Friday's “blackout,” and some schools preemptively canceled classes in anticipation of mass absences.
Activists call for a nationwide ‘blackout’ to protest against Trump’s violent immigration crackdown
Organizers say the demonstration is part of a growing non-violent movement
Pens Points: Winning ways continue
Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning… Forwards Anthony Mantha and Egor Chinakhov scored in a 31-second span in what was a dominant second period, as the Pittsburgh Penguins breezed by the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory. [Recap] As seen during the game, the Penguins officially recalled […]
Livingston v Motherwell: Pick of the stats
Tawanda Maswanhise has scored in his past three league appearances, while a goal here would make him the youngest player (23 years 72 days) to net in four successive Scottish Premiership outings since Malik Tillman for Rangers in April 2023 (20y 308d), and youngest for Motherwell in the top flight since Nick Blackman in November 2010 (21y 9d). Motherwell have only lost one of their past 15 league games (W9 D5), a 1-0 defeat at Rangers in December.
Northeast, Central Florida businesses say Google review bombers blackmailed them
Since opening his HVAC company in Jacksonville’s Pine Forest neighborhood less than two years ago, Aldi Gjeka has received 277 reviews on Google, 262 of which are five stars. The other 15 are one-star reviews, all of which were written within the same hour earlier this week.
Basil Talbott Jr., legendary Chicago Sun-Times political editor, has died
Talbott, 89, was known for his dogged pursuit of the story, chronicling in depth the political fortunes of Jane Byrne, the city’s first female mayor, Harold Washington, Chicago’s first Black mayor and the run-ups to the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns.
UN criticizes Haiti for lack of progress on a political transition
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council criticized Haitian authorities Thursday for the lack of progress in achieving a political transition and called for urgent security sector reforms to tackle increasing violence by gangs and criminal groups.
HOMETOWN ENTERTAINMENT: Cabin fever setting in? There are some great events to keep you busy this weekend
From classic rock tribute bands to music celebrating Black History Month, our hometowns have a lot to offer this weekend.
6 Tactics Black Businesses Can Apply To Spur Revenue Growth In A Post-DEI World
Starting roughly a year ago, DEI rollbacks have meant $217 million in lost federal contracts to small businesses, including Black-owned ones.
Here's Everything Apple Released This Week
Following a quiet start to 2026, the final week of January has been a busy one for Apple so far. There are new versions of the AirTag and the Black Unity band for the Apple Watch, and the Apple Creator Studio bundle is now available. Apple also released iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 updates, and iOS 26.3 beta testing continues.
AppLovin's ad tech business could steal Amazon's lunch
Wall Street remains wary of the black box behind AppLovin's AI, but early data suggest its e-commerce pivot is already eating into Amazon's territory.
Game Preview: Chicago Blackhawks @ Pittsburgh Penguins 1/29/2026
Who: Chicago Blackhawks (21-23-9, 51 points, 6th place Central Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (26-14-11, 63 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) When: 7:00 p.m. eastern How to Watch: Locally broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and CHSN in the local markets, streaming on ESPN+ Pens’ Path Ahead: It’s a week-long sprint to the Olympic break finish line for the Pens. […]
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund business returned 12% in 2025, sources say
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund platform, Absolute Return Composite (AR), returned nearly 12% last year, beating the benchmark HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index's 7.1% gain, two people familiar with the numbers said on Wednesday.
Black History Celebration to feature special concession offerings, in-arena entertainment
The Sabres will celebrate Black excellence in WNY during their game against the Kings on Jan. 29.
Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard nightmare continues with embarrassing moment
Things just aren't going well right now.
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
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